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Authentic Muisca Tumbaga Gold Tunjo Votive Figure Pendant - Pre Columbian Estate.
Item Specifics* Culture: Muisca* Region/Origin: Colombia* Material: Tumbaga (Ancient Gold/Copper alloy Tunjo)* Weight: 3.0 grams* Era: Approx. 1000–1550 CE Fine Muisca Tumbaga Tunjo Figural Ornament* Provenance: Acquired from a private estate Pre-Columbian collector collection. He visited the southwest frequently throughout the 1970s. He did not leave behind any notes identifying this piece).
Item DescriptionUp for sale is an authentic, highly stylized anthropomorphic Muisca "Tunjo" votive figurine pendant.
Artistry & Manufacture:This piece was cast via the traditional lost-wax technique from a single pour of tumbaga—the signature indigenous gold-and-copper alloy It features the classic flat, angular geometric silhouette, wire-thin metal detailing and an integrated rear suspension loop designed to hang the figure securely inside a sacred temple shrine or ceramic offering bundle.Metal Testing & Surface Condition:* Acid Test: Tests consistently between 10k and 14k gold, heavily typical for authentic tumbaga which features varying gold-to-copper ratios.* Condition Notice: The item is in an uncleaned, unpolished state as found. It exhibits extensive dark copper oxide corrosion and mineral crusting along the perimeter.* Fragility Warning: Please note this artifact is EXTREMELY FRAGILE. Due to centuries of burial, the copper content has naturally leached and oxidized out, leaving behind a brittle, delicate gold lattice structure. There is a structural stress fracture present on the right leg. It must be handled with utmost care. The right leg is ready to drop off at the crack.
Note: My personal knowledge of this piece includes the acquisition from the collector, the stone acid testing for gold content, and the weighing. The rest of the identification was researched on google. It makes sense based on the rest of his collection, but I am not an expert.
Please review all high-resolution pictures carefully to inspect measurements and structural condition details before purchasing.Thanks for taking a look.
